Help with decision

[Silverpathic]

Hi,
Need some direction form the community. I am gonna start putting away for my Christmas present and decided I want a 30-06 rifle. Thinking Remington 700 but don't know enough to make that the sure bet. This is my reasoning, can convert ammo to 8x57. Longer range them the 8x57, plus I can add evil black parts. Other then that I just want a new rifle. Any ideas?

[24Pink14Stink]

Great question. Someone smarter than me will have to help.

But Peshitta... first decent weekend of the summer and u gotta talk about december??

[harleyhutch]

This should open a whole can of worms. Everyone is likely to have a different opinion as well as where your going to hunt, fields, forest, combination of both, wood and blued metal or composite and sprayed on finish, what accessories, barrel length, etc, etc.
I pretty much hunt with a different rifle each weekend, and hunt mostly in the Adirondacks, but also matters if I'm a driver or watcher, opening weekend is always a Winchester 1895 in 30-40 with peep sights, my wife's grandfathers (Adirondack guide) gun that starts the season out of respect to him and keep him in the woods as long as I can hunt. Other than that, I'm completely useless to your search for advice as I hunt almost exclusively with lever guns in old calibers these days, might as well keep the old guys in the hunt, besides, there is almost always a new young guy brought along who needs a firearm history lesson. Hey Uncle Bob, what's that guy got??? I'll have some fun and tell him is one of my new guns that was made in 1927, which usually leads to, why doesn't he buy a new gun?? They will understand as they get older if they stay in the woods but usually fade away as hunting up north is work unlike sitting in a stand in the southern zone, but the same gun usually works in both places.
If the 06 works for you and can reform the brass unto something else you have, then go for it, the only other decision is wood or plastic, factory or custom???
Good hunting.

[Silverpathic]

I love wood furniture but I get all emotional about a nick in it. So that's a hard decision. If I buy plastic then I will be less vested in it. As for blued, black, or chrome whatever is cheapest as it don't matter to me. Mainly because I like to beat up the guns. Take them out, prop them up against rocks, fall down in the creek with them. Actually use them. I want to scope it with a good scope, a bipod, and maybe fiddle with the trigger pull. Pretty much it. Like a gun that I can tinker to get shots 500 yards down range with. (Unrealistic I think)

[Tony]

Seems the "talk o' the town" is Savage. Not the Axis, but the 110 series of rifles. Personally, I would avoid the entry level rifles of all makers. You mentioned the Rem. 700, a good choice, not sure of the quality these days. Some good and some bad it would appear. Savage quality appears to be pretty good right now. Do not rule out the Win. M70 without first handling one. They are nice rifles, the older ones, as with any make may have an edge if you can find a good one.

[harleyhutch]

My personal choice is older is better. In today's world of CNC operations and technology we SHOULD be cranking out a much superior product, but seldom is the case, most items are being built to a price point. Don't disregard the new Savages.

[LibertyOrDeath]

A bit pricey but nothing says 30-06 like an M1 Garand.

[WARFAB]

General all around shooting rifle? Hunting specific? Bench/target specific? Are you set on a bolt action? Curious what your plans are for this Christmas present.

500 yards with a 30-06 isn't unrealistic at all.

[Silverpathic]

Honestly something I can hit the target at 500 yards with, hunt, and just toss lead down range with.

[Silverpathic]

Ok went and looked at the savage, really nice feel to it.
So lil story, went to a LGS in niagara county and when I asked to see the axis and the 110 he swept me with both of them. I know it's stupid, they are in the store, but hey I don't know that and I am not very paranoid but it did flash in my head like wtf really?

[Cgrutt]

Nothing stupid about it bro. Things like that lead to unfortunate accidents and unnecessary legislation. He should be taken to school and tied to the whipping post. No excuse esp for somebody who earns their living selling firearms.

What did you think about the rifles?

[tdpark]

I have a savage and it is a great gun- Not the prettiest thing but it is tack driver out of the box.

[Silverpathic]

Actually felt really well built, no slop, felt well thought out. Balance was nice with the plastic stock. Think that's what i am gonna go for. LOL since that's the gun what do you folks recommend for a scope for up to 500 yards? I am not a scope guy, so spending 1,000 is gonna make me giggle, I was thinking 200-400ish range.

[mondo]

The Remington 700 is a good choice.Military sniper rifles today are all Remington 700's,which is for good reason.I own many of these rifles and have noticed that the quality is not what it once was.It is still a good,reliable rifle though.The 700 design is inherently accurate. Also,.It depends on what you are going to hunt and where.The 30-06 is a good all around choice for hunting.For a scope,the leupold vx-1 or vx-2 is a good choice.The long range duplex reticle is a good option if you want to shoot at distance.The savage 110 is also a good choice.The trigger on this gun is awesome!I would also suggest the .308 win.It will do anything the 30-06 can do in the hunting fields and has the advantage of using highly developed match ammo.Another plus is that it is used by military and law enforcement and has benefited from extensive r and d.

[Cgrutt]

Welcome aboard Mondo. Great post. I'd recommend the 308 over 30-06 too.